Aden's fingers hovered over Jonas's chest, hesitating.
Even in death, Jonas looked composed—like he had seen it coming. That wasn't normal.
Aden clenched his jaw and forced himself to look closer.
His first instinct had been that this was a monster attack, maybe some curse from the temple. But now, as he inspected the wounds… something didn't add up.
> No claw marks. No burns. No signs of struggle.
Just a clean, precise stab wound—straight through the heart.
An execution.
Aden's breath hitched. He moved to the next body. Same wound. Next one. Same exact wound.
Whoever did this wasn't sloppy.
They were efficient.
Aden swallowed his unease and checked Jonas's pockets, searching for anything that might explain this.
His fingers brushed against something. A small, folded piece of parchment.
He unfolded it carefully.
> "The temple should have remained buried. Those who dig up the past must join it."
Aden's stomach twisted.
This wasn't just an attack.
This was a cover-up.
Someone—or something—wanted to erase everyone connected to the temple's awakening.
His squad was just the beginning.
Aden's hands trembled slightly as he turned the note over. A single symbol was stamped on the back—a black sun with a dagger through it.
He didn't recognize it, but something about it felt wrong.
Jonas had known. Somehow, he had figured it out before he died. And he had left this behind…
> For me to find.
Aden exhaled slowly. His grief wasn't gone, but it was now buried under something stronger.
> Resolve.
Whoever did this wasn't finished yet.
If they were eliminating everyone tied to the temple…
That meant he was next.